America's most inspiring company is in Seattle area

By By AUBREY COHEN

on October 2, 2013 2:22 PM

The Seattle area is home to five of America's "most inspiring companies," including the top company, according to a new report.

Performance Inspired, a management training and consulting firm, surveyed nearly 5,000 people, asking which companies they found most inspiring and why.

Inspiring companies generally use profits and influence to make the world a better place; have passionate and inspired employees; have big ideas that they have proven they can make reality; and encourage and empower people to achieve personal goals, according to Performance Inspired.

Click on for the 25-company list, starting with No. 25 Kohl's, which was down from 15th last year. less

The Seattle area is home to five of America's "most inspiring companies," including the top company, according to a new report.

22. American Express -- first time on list. "American Express is the first financial brand that has not only had enough mentions to make the list but that has ever even been mentioned," according to the report. "There were several references to American Express’s philanthropic initiatives." less

22. American Express -- first time on list. "American Express is the first financial brand that has not only had enough mentions to make the list but that has ever even been mentioned," according to the report. ... more

Photo: Wilfredo Lee

22. American Express -- first time on list. "American Express... Photo-3611638.71326 - NewsTimes

12. Apple -- down from first last year. "Apple still received a lot of mentions for having big ideas and making those ideas become a reality but did not get a single mention for using its influence and profits to make the world a better place," according to the report. "That’s not to say that Apple is not doing so. It just says that if they are, the average consumer is unaware." less

12. Apple -- down from first last year. "Apple still received a lot of mentions for having big ideas and making those ideas become a reality but did not get a single mention for using its influence and profits ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

12. Apple -- down from first last year. "Apple still received... Photo-5165459.71326 - NewsTimes

5. Target -- down from third last year. Photo-3948018.71326 - NewsTimes

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4. Chick-fil-A -- up from seventh last year. The company made news in 2012, when its chief executive said proponents of gay marriage were "inviting God’s judgment." That surely won it some admirers and lost it others. less

4. Chick-fil-A -- up from seventh last year. The company made news in 2012, when its chief executive said proponents of gay marriage were "inviting God’s judgment." That surely won it some admirers and lost ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

4. Chick-fil-A -- up from seventh last year. The company made news... Photo-3711257.71326 - NewsTimes

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3. Wal-Mart -- down from second last year.

3. Wal-Mart -- down from second last year.

Photo: Matt Rourke, Associated Press

3. Wal-Mart -- down from second last year. Photo-5103854.71326 - NewsTimes

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2. Disney -- up from 14th last year.

2. Disney -- up from 14th last year.

Photo: Gene Duncan

2. Disney -- up from 14th last year. Photo-2568572.71326 - NewsTimes

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1. Microsoft -- up from fifth last year. Microsoft has been in the news for bad reasons recently, including stumbles with Windows Phone, Windows 8 and the Surface tablet. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer recently announced plans to retire, and some top shareholders want Chairman Bill Gates gone too. But the company gets high marks for philanthropy, possibly reaping benefits from the work of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is unrelated, except through the Gates connection.

"This year what was by far the most important attribute to respondents was whether a company was using its profits and influence to make the world a better place," the report said. less

1. Microsoft -- up from fifth last year. Microsoft has been in the news for bad reasons recently, including stumbles with Windows Phone, Windows 8 and the Surface tablet. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

1. Microsoft -- up from fifth last year. Microsoft has been in the... Photo-3649523.71326 - NewsTimes